Former Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has officially withdrawn from the New Patriotic Party’s ongoing “Thank You” tour, citing security threats to his supporters following a violent incident in Kumasi.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, April 30, Agyapong revealed that his decision stems from an attack involving a group of gun-wielding men during a party event held at the Pentecost Church in Bantama.
A student from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), affiliated with Unity Hall and hired by Agyapong’s team, was stabbed during the chaos and is currently receiving emergency treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
“For unity’s sake, I felt it was important to join Dr. Bawumia on his ‘Thank You’ tour. But from all indications, it’s very clear I’m not wanted,” Agyapong stated. “Because of yesterday’s events, myself and my team want to pull out because lives are threatened. I don’t think I can adequately protect my team.”
Agyapong confirmed that he has formally communicated his withdrawal to both Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the party’s General Secretary.
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“The reason I am withdrawing is mainly to protect my people,” he said. “But we will regroup, and at the appropriate time, we will also do what we have to do to help the party and enhance my chances.”
Mr. Agyapong also used the opportunity to declare his political intentions: “I want everybody to know, every party member to know that I’m going to campaign and contest. Nobody can stop me from contesting [for the flagbearer position],” he declared.
He also cautioned against intra-party manipulation and division, saying, “I have seen that some groups from Dr. Bawumia’s camp want me to speak, so they twist things. I want to plead with the NPP fraternity to desist from such one-sided politics—it will not help us. ”
